Day: January 8, 2014

I’m trying my hand at another video. The consensus (mine) is that I’m not very good at it so far. I can see what I’m doing wrong so maybe that is improvement after all.

I am using a Day-Timer distressed leather planner cover. I have to confess that I love leather products! When BFF and I go shopping, she knows her main job is to keep me away from the leather! However, she does allow me to walk through the purse section of the store and just breathe. Hopefully, there are no animal activists reading this. (Whispering) I love the way leather smells.

Okay – getting back to my planner. The distressed leather is exactly like my Malibu planner that you have seen in other posts; same size and exact setup.

I’ve been asked over and again to show my set up so today is the day – hence the bad video. My planner, while being set up to work quite efficiently for me, is also a testing ground of sorts. As I come across freebies, I sometimes feel inclined to try them out and those pages come and go. You will see in the video that I am trying out an inventory sheet for both freezer and pantry. I will probably not stick with it because I do not have the patience to go through my pantry or freezer and list all of the items. I know my baking/cooking habits and therefore can probably tell you everything I already have in the cabinet. As far as the freezer goes, we have two and I keep a dry erase board on each one with a list of the contents. I still thought it would be fun to try the list out so I could recommend (or not) it to others.

The same goes with financials. There are some really cute pages available (and most for free) that would be very helpful in budgeting. At some point this year, I am going to sit down and actually give them a go. In the meantime, I use Quickbooks on the computer and that is how I keep my budget and finances in order. So, the paper system on the financials is probably not something I’ll continue.

I will insert Video #1 here. I had to do two shorter videos as opposed to one long one for upload purposes. As you will see, I don’t quite have the video down pact. It’s sideways and cuts off half my picture. It sure is more difficult than it looks. I apologize. I just could not figure out how to rotate it.

I’ve been using my book review system for a few weeks now and I must say that it is working every bit as well as I thought it would. I love having all of my items in one planner rather than scattered between two or three. I know that I can grab that one planner and head out of the door if need be and feel confident that I have everything I need at my fingertips. Ummm. Maybe I will do those financial sheets after all as I do not regularly tote my computer.

My daily sheet that I insert is something I will never give up. I find that I really need a time schedule to keep myself focussed. I also plan on using the Week at a Peek for a long time. It helps that I don’t have to flip back and forth between my book review calendar and the current week. I move my sticky notes to this page and I have the information sitting there for my use. I also enjoying having the extra space on the page to jot down notes about future posts. The monthly view does not have room for me to put these notes and I wouldn’t want to clog up the review list with notes.

Getting back to the freezer and pantry inventory sheets, I am thinking it might not be a bad idea after all. A long time ago, I used to enjoy planning out the week’s menus and I am considering doing it again. It would be fun to plan the menu and then sit down with Hubby and get his input – or maybe not. He is a man who is happy with a can of soup (not that I would EVER serve him that!) He isn’t hard to please although there has been the occasional experiment he’d rather not see on his plate again.

The only party I normally host is my annual Cookie Swap each December. Someone who entertains a lot could label this section “Parties” or “Entertaining.” I have a spread sheet with all of the contact information for each invitee, their RSVP, and the cookie they are bringing. I also have my invitation information handy. After each party, I take this sheet and file it in my Cookie Swap scrap-book. It is nice to have the list handy in the event I need to contact someone and it also makes it easy to keep track of the responses.

Then we all need notepaper, especially me. This section is handy when I attend meetings. I know that I can grab my planner, head out the door, and know that I will have paper and pen to take notes.

I have one other page which I haven’t put in yet and it is from Motivatedmoms.com. It is a week at a glance and includes daily chores, weekly chores, and a weekly Bible reading chart. The system also has an app where you can check off the chores as you do them, or add more depending on your lifestyle. I will let you know how I like the page as time goes on.

That about wraps up my desk planner. I also use a personal size planner/wallet to stay organized as I do not carry my desk around on a normal basis. I’ll be doing a video on it at a later date – maybe after I improve my video skills.

Feel free to comment or ask questions. I love planner and organizing questions!

Like this:

My Life is like an episode of "I love Lucy!" I'm a writer, book reviewer, and a Southern Lady who loves her Sweet Tea. My blog, My Life. One Story at a Time. is where I've been writing short stories since 2009. I also love to plan and organize. Welcome to my life.